Bar code arrangement for identifying positions along an axis

1. A bar code arrangement for identifying positions along an axis, the arrangement comprising: a plurality of bar code symbols, each having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween; each symbol being positioned in a column along the axis and being so oriented that each bar of the symbols is parallel to the axis and that two consecutive bar code symbols have different orientations, one being rotated 180 relative to another; whereby a particular position along the axis is identified by scanning the bar code symbol corresponding to said particular position among said plurality of bar code symbols in said column; a symbol scan being considered successful when two different characters are found in said symbol scan.

2. A bar code arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein each symbol represents a different two digit number.

3. A bar code arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein each two consecutive bar code symbols in said column are adjacent.

4. A bar code arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of said bar code symbols corresponds to the Interleaved 2 of 5 encoding system.

5. A bar code arrangement as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least two of said plurality of bar code symbols have different heights.

6. A bottle having a bar code arrangement as recited in claim 1 printed thereon, said bar code arrangement extending generally perpendicularly from the bottom of the bottle.

7. A bar code ribbon for identifying positions along an object, the ribbon comprising: two generally parallel longitudinal sides extending along an axis; two opposite faces, each spanning between said two longitudinal sides; one of said two opposite faces having a plurality of bar code symbols printed thereon, each having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween; said plurality of bar code symbols being positioned on top of each other and being so oriented that their bars are parallel to the axis, and that no two consecutive bar code symbols have corresponding end characters on a same side; whereby a particular position along the ribbon is identified by scanning the bar code symbol corresponding to said particular position among said plurality of bar code symbols in said column; a symbol scan being considered successful when two different characters are decoded following said symbol scan.

8. A bar code ribbon as recited in claim 7 , wherein one of said plurality of symbols is a reference symbol.

9. A bar code ribbon as recited in claim 7 , wherein information is associated in a computer database to at least one of said plurality of bar code symbols.

10. A bar code ribbon as recited in claim 9 , wherein said information is related to at least one of a position on the object along said axis, and a characteristic of the object at the position corresponding to said at least one of said plurality of bar codes.

11. A bar code ribbon as recited in claim 7 , wherein each symbol represents a different two digit number.

12. A bar code ribbon as recited in claim 7 , wherein at least two of said plurality of bar code symbols have different heights.

13. A bar code ribbon as recited in claim 7 , further comprising adhesive on the other of said two opposite faces.

14. A bar code ribbon as recited in claim 13 , further comprising a removable paper protector covering said adhesive.

15. A bottle having a bar code ribbon as recited in claim 7 affixed thereon; said bar code ribbon extending generally perpendicularly from the bottom of the bottle.

16. A bar code ribbon for identifying positions along an object comprising: two opposite faces; one of said two opposite faces having a plurality of bar code symbols printed thereon, each having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween; said plurality of printed bar code symbols being positioned in a column generally defining a longitudinal axis; each symbol being so oriented that each bar of the bar code symbols is parallel to the axis and that two consecutive bar code symbols have different orientations, one being rotated 180 relative to another; whereby a particular position along the ribbon is identified by scanning the bar code symbol corresponding to said particular position among said plurality of bar code symbols in said column; a symbol scan being considered successful when two different end characters are decoded following said symbol scan.

17. A bar-inventory management system comprising: a computer server including instructions for managing an inventory; a plurality of bar code ribbons to be affixed to liquor bottles; each of said plurality of bar code ribbons having two opposite faces; one of said two opposite faces having a plurality of bar code symbols printed thereon, each having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween; said plurality of printed bar code symbols being positioned in a column generally defining a longitudinal axis; each symbol being so oriented that each bar of the bar code symbols is parallel to the axis and that two consecutive bar code symbols have different orientations, one being rotated 180 relative to another; whereby a particular position along the ribbon is identified by scanning the bar code symbol corresponding to said particular position among said plurality of bar code symbols in said column; a symbol scan being considered successful when two different end characters are decoded following said symbol scan; and at least one bar code scanner connected to said computer, and being configured so as to read said bar code symbols on said bar code ribbons.

18. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 17 , further comprising at least one access point for wirelessly connecting said at least one bar scanner to said computer server.

19. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 17 , wherein at least one of said computer server and said at least one bar code scanner is configured to decode said bar code symbols.

20. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 17 , wherein said computer server includes at least one database.

21. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of unique inventory bar codes to be affixed to bottles.

22. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 21 , wherein said computer database includes information associated to at least one of said bar code symbols on said bar code ribbons and said plurality of unique inventory bar codes.

23. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 22 , wherein said information is related to volumes of the bottles.

24. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 17 , said bar code symbols correspond to the Interleaved 2 of 5 encoding system.

25. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 24 , wherein said bar code ribbons have a width of about 8 mm.

26. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 17 , wherein said bar code scanner is a handheld device.

27. A bar-inventory management system as recited in claim 17 , wherein said bar code scanner is configured so as output a signal when a scan of one of said plurality of bar code symbols is successful.

28. A method for identifying positions along an axis on an object, said method comprising: providing a unique bar code symbol at predetermined positions along the axis; each bar code symbol having start and stop end characters and encoded data therebetween; each bar code symbol being positioned in a column along the axis and being so oriented that each bar of the symbols is parallel to the axis and that two consecutive bar code symbols have different orientations, one being rotated 180 relative to another; associating in a computer database each said unique bar code symbol to a corresponding one of said predetermined positions along the axis; scanning a position along the axis until a bar code symbol having two different end characters is found; and searching in said computer database the position associated to the last scanned position.